Lonnie Leo Helmle, age 69, of Spragueville, IA, passed away September 28, 2023, in his home with his family by his side. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, in Preston, IA on Friday, October 6, 2023, at 11:30 a.m. Visitation will take place on Thursday, October 5, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., as well as one hour prior to Mass, both at St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Lonnie was born June 18, 1954, in Clinton, IA, the son of Larry and Donna (Eickert) Helmle. He attended country school in the Spragueville area and graduated from Preston High School with the class of 1972. After high school, Lonnie worked for Zeimet’s garage for a couple of years before working full time on his father's farm.
On July 31, 1976, Lonnie married Ruth Klemme at St. Joseph Catholic Church. They would go on to have three children, and purchase a family farm of their own that would keep Lonnie busy for decades to come. In addition to farming, Lonnie worked for Guardian Glass from 1996 to 2016, and ran a custom fencing business on the side; where he would often recruit his wife and children to help.
In his free time he enjoyed horseback riding, camping, hunting, and the occasional fishing. He was a lifelong member of St. Joseph Catholic Church and loved his community and his family dearly. His grandchildren brought him tremendous joy, and in his final years, as he battled cancer, they were the light of his life.
Lonnie will be dearly missed by his wife, Ruth; children, Quentin (Cathy Haiar) Helmle, of Spragueville, Ashley (Jason) Pataska, of Solon, IA, and Marlee (John) Klein, of Springbrook, IA; grandchildren, Jaycee, Teegan, Carver, Finnick, Brielle, Jocelyn, Paige, Jimmy, Jeremy, and Justin; brother, Kevin (Jodi) Helmle, of Spragueville; and brother-in-law, Rich Dierksen. Lonnie is preceded in death by his parents, Larry and Donna; sister, Sheila Dierksen; and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bob and Marielda Klemme.
The family would like to thank the Mayo Clinic Medical Center, Iowa Cancer Specialist, Jackson County Regional Health Center, Medical Associates of Maquoketa and the Hospice of Jackson County for their exceptional care.